Pencil-sharpener.



F. BROS'IROIVi PENCIL SHARPENER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.12, 1909.

958,904. Patent-,ea May 24, 1910.

. 1N VWTaR VITNESSES@ NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK BROSTROIVI, OF CHICO, CALIFORNIA.

rnNcIL-sHARPnNER.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK BRosrRoM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chico, in the county of Butte and State of California, have invented 'certain new and useful Improvements in Pencil-Sharpeners, of which the following is a specification.

The hereinafter described invention relates to a pencil sharpener wherein the cutting blade is a movable one, relative to the holder for the pencil, and is so arranged as to act against the exposed surface of a pencil with substantially the same cutting stroke as that given to a knife blade when sharpening a pencil; the object being to provide a pencil sharpener of convenient size for being carried on the person, which shall be simple of construction, durable and inexpensive as to manufacture.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of the holder with the pencil positioned therein, the cutting blade at the initial point of its downward stroke. Fig. 2 is a side view in elevation, the cutting blade being illustrated positioned adjacent the terminal point of its downward stroke. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line ooof Fig. 1 of the drawings.

In the drawings, the numerall is used to indicate a part cylindrical holder for the pencil, the same being of tapering form and having its upper surface removed for the exposure of a portion of the pencil. In the present case, the enlarged end of the tapering holder terminates 1n a split clamp-ring 2, through which the pencil 3 is inserted, said ring acting as a guide for the pencil and as a convenient means for securing the same to the holder. The holder is formed with a laterally extended wing portion 4, which terminates in a finger piece 5, and to the said extension 4 is pivoted the cutting blade 6, which is actuated by the handle 7 projecting therefrom. The disposition of the cutting blade 6, is such that it works across the face of the cut-away portion of the pencil holder l, at an inclination to the axis thereof, so that the same acts against the exposed surface of the pencil 3 with the same stroke substantially as that produced when sharpening the pencil with a pen-knife. Vith each downward stroke of the cutting blade 6, the surface of the pencil exposed above the cut-away portion of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led January 12, 1909.

Patented May 24, 1910.

serial No. 471,876.

holder I, is removed by the downwardly inclined sweep of the cutting blade, the pencil, during the upward or return stroke of the cutting blade, being given by the operator of the sharpener a part turn or rotation to expose to the cutting blade a new surface to be acted on during the down stroke thereof. As the surface of the pencil is removed, the same is permitted to move inwardly within the holder, so that a tapering point may be given thereto. The cutting movement of the blade 6 is not only cross-wise of the holder l, but, due to the angular disposition of the extension 4 to which it is pivoted, at an inclination to the horizontal, conforming to the taper of the holder 1, by which sweeping action of the cutting blade 6 the exposed surface of the pencil is gradually removed on a taper.

From the under surface, preferably, of the wing extension t of the holder l, projects a guard or keeper linger 8, which lies across the reduced open portion 8 of the holder l, and bears onto the pencil 3 inserted within the holder. This keeper finger 8 is of spring metal, and the purpose thereof is to bear onto the inner end portion of the pencil and hold the same rmly onto its seat within the holder l.

Under the present construction of the sharpener, the holder and wing extension 4; may be stamped from a single piece of metal.

The cutting blade of the described pencil sharpener, works in a manner somewhat the same as the blade of a pair of scissors.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is- 1. A pencil sharpener comprising an elongated substantially straight tubular member split longitudinally to constitute an adjustable guide for a pencil to be sharpened, said tubular member terminating in a tapered end, the parts including the tubular member and tapered terminal constituting a holder for the pencil, and said holder having a side cut away for the exposure of the pencil end, a stationary finger piece integral with an extension of said holder, a movable finger piece pivoted to said extension, and a cutter member carried by the movable linger piece adapted to work across the cut away portion pif the holder as and for the purpose speci- 2. A pencil sharpener comprising an elongated substantially straight tubular member split longitudinally to constitute an adjustable guide for a pencil to be sharpened, said tubularV Vmember terminating in a tapered end, the parts including the tubular member and tapered terminal constituting a holder for the pencil, and said holder having a side cut -away for the exposure of the pencil end, a stationary finger piece integral with an extension of said holder, a movable finger piece pivoted to said extension, a cutter member f carried by the movable finger piece adapted to work across the cut away por-` tion of the holder, and a keeper finger comprising a substantially fiat spring member secured to said extension and project-ing transversely across the cut away portion of the holder to li'old the pencil in contact with the opposite solid wall of the holder as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK BROSTROM.

Witnesses:

FRANK J. WERNER, S. T. AXTELL. 

